Andrew absent from royal gathering at Sandringham

King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted crowds outside St Mary Magdalene church yesterday on the Sandringham estate after the royal family attended their annual Christmas morning church service.

- HOLLY BANCROFT

Charles and Camilla led the family on the short walk to the church from Sandringham House for the service, which started at 11am. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, who stopped to speak to well-wishers and gather up gifts and flowers after the service had finished at around midday.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was absent for a second year, having been stripped of his titles this year in a dramatic fall from grace.

His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson was also absent from the Sandringham party, but both their children Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were present with their husbands.

Hundreds braved the elements on the cold but sunny Christmas Day morning in Norfolk to watch as the royal family were greeted by Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams on the church steps.

Both Camilla and the Princess Royal opted for bright red coats for their Christmas Day outing, with Camilla opting for black gloves with fur decoration.

King Charles was wearing a camel-coloured overcoat and waved at members of the public who lined the walkway.